Heart of Honor by Alexa Aston

Author:Alexa Aston
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Medieval
Published: 2017-08-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

“I AM SO out of breath!” Alys exclaimed. She tossed her ribbon to a young girl and moved away from the dancing.

In truth, it was Kit Emory who had taken her breath away.

She had grown warm as she watched him attempt to dance. At first, he had proved awkward, then his knightly training kicked in. He began to move with a physical grace for one so large. Though his feet did not attempt any complicated footwork, his limbs still moved well in time to the music. For the first time since he’d been brought to Kinwick, Kit smiled from his heart and a place of joy. She realized he was living in the moment, not worried about who he was or where he belonged.

Oh, but he had already found a place—though he did yet not know it. ’Twas in her heart.

Alys determined to pull him aside after the feasting and inform him of his true identity. She had no right to hold the secret from him any longer. He must return to Richessa and whatever family he had.

Even though it would break her heart.

She looked up as a shadow crossed over her, marring the bright sunshine of the day. Kit stood next to her, his large frame dwarfing hers. She pushed aside the gloom that threatened to bubble up. He needed to enjoy these last few hours and she needed to enjoy them—with him.

“You left the dancing.” He frowned. “Are you ill?”

“Nay. Just a bit tired. I have danced through several songs. I thought to take a bit of ale and cool down some.”

Kit offered his arm to her. “Then let me escort you to where these refreshments are.”

Alys slipped her hand through the crook of his arm and almost sighed. His very nearness allowed her to inhale his clean, masculine scent. She drank it in as one who thirsted but could never be satisfied.

As they drew close to the ale and various fruits and breads that had been placed outside for the revelers to nibble on, she saw her parents and waved. Geoffrey and Merryn joined them as Cook poured drinks for them all.

“I haven’t seen you dancing, my lord,” Kit said.

“I have been beating the bounds,” her father replied.

Alys saw the puzzled look flit across Kit’s face and said, “It’s a tradition on May Day for the owner of a property to walk its boundaries.”

“The custom allows me to reaffirm my rights to Kinwick,” her father shared. He took a generous sip from his cup. “I find it thirsty work.”

“And Geoffrey marks the various places where the fences need to be repaired,” added her mother. “So our walk served a more practical purpose.”

“You walked the boundaries with him?” Kit asked.

“Aye. We have done it together many years. It’s time alone, which we rarely seem to have.”

Alys saw the look pass between her mother and father and wondered if anything else had occurred as they beat the bounds.

A cheer rose, and she looked back at the maypole. “I think Jack in the Green has put in his appearance.

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